RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01227
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
The following medals are not reflected on his DD Form 214,
Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty:
Vietnam Service Medal (VSM); (Will be administratively
corrected)
Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM).
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His records were sent to his next Continental United States
(CONUS) assignment and his statement of service in Southeast Asia
was not processed.
He provides a copy of a signed two-page Statement of Service in
Southeast Asia, dated 27 Mar 68, which contains 16 periods of
temporary duty in Vietnam and Thailand, totaling 127 days.
The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider
his untimely application because records were lost over the years
due to family moves, retirement, family health issues and numerous
hospitalizations.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 7 Jan 49, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force.
On Aug 75, the retired from the Air Force after serving 26 years,
06 months and 24 days of active service. He had 2 years, 2 months
and 23 days of foreign-service.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAPP determined the corrective action the applicant
requested, award of the VSM, was resolved through pertinent
administrative procedures not requiring referral to the Air Force
Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR). After
reviewing his official military record and documentation he
provided, DPAPP was able to verify and confirm boots on ground
foreign service time in the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand for a
total of 127 days between November 1966 and Mar 1968. The amount
of time reflected on his DD Form 214 is correct therefore; a
correction is not needed. Since specific locations are not
annotated on a members DD Form 214, the applicant may use the
DPAPP letter as proof of boots on ground for the Republic of
Vietnam and Thailand.
The complete DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPSID recommends disapproval of the award of the VCM. DPSID
was unable to verify award of the VCM. There is no official
documentation in the applicants record to verify he was in the
area of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months for award of the
BCM. In addition, the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC),
Directorate of Assignments could only verify the applicant as
having served in Vietnam and Thailand for a total of 127 days;
therefore, rendering him ineligible for award of the VCM.
The VCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces
who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73 served for six months in South
Vietnam, or, served outside the geographical limits of South
Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of
Vietnam Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members
of the United States Armed Forces who meet the criteria
established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the VSM
during the period of service required are considered to have
contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam Armed
Forces; or, did not complete the length of service required, but
who, during wartime, were: wounded by the enemy (in a military
action), captured by the enemy during action or in the line of
duty, but later rescued or released, killed in action or in the
line of duty; or were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and served
in Vietnam for the entire period between 29 Jan 73-28 Mar 73.
DPSID was able to verify award of the VSM with three Bronze
Service Stars (VSM w/3 BSS) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry
Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/P). The applicant provided a document
titled Statement of Service in Southeast Asia, signed by Major
Avery C. McCurry, dated 29 Mar 1968. Written on the top right
corner is the phrase, April loss not processed. The two-page
document is signed and dated by the applicant and lists numerous
temporary duties with dates and number of days to Thailand and
Vietnam. It also states total days 127. The AFPC Directorate of
Assignments verified the applicant served in Vietnam and Thailand
for a total of 127 days between November 1966 and March 1968.
Upon final Board decision, administrative correction of the
applicants official military personnel record will be completed
by AFPC/DPSOR.
The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the
applicant on 24 Nov 14 for review and comment within 30 days
(Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by
this office.
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing
law or regulations.
2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.
3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting
correction of the applicants records to reflect his entitlement
to the VCM. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission
in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the
opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary
responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our
conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or
injustice. We note the Air Force OPR has determined the
applicants eligibility for the VSM w/3 BSS and will correct his
records administratively. Therefore, in the absence of evidence
to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting relief
beyond that rendered administratively.
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and the
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly
discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2014-01227 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Mar 14, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 21 Jul 14.
Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Nov 14.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Nov 14.
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 05271
Vietnam service. The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends disapproval of the applicants request to correct his records to reflect service in Thailand.
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 03313
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03313 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His official military records reflect his Vietnam Service and Vietnam/Southeast Asia Service Ribbons. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPRs), attached at Exhibit C and Exhibit D. AIR FORCE...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 05257
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05257 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). There is no official documentation in the applicants official military record verifying he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of six months in support of the Vietnam Armed Forces. While the applicant contends that the fact that he was...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01393
There is no official documentation in the applicants records to verify he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months for award of the VCM. In additional, the Air Force Personnel Center, Directorate of Assignments verified the applicant as having served at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, but they were unable to confirm any foreign-service in Vietnam; therefore, rendering him ineligible for award of the VCM. To be eligible, a service member must be: permanently assigned,...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01446
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01446 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, be updated to reflect the award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM) and the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 02752
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02752 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The following medals be listed on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty: Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) with One Bronze Service Star (Administratively Corrected); Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). The Board should find it in the interest of justice to consider his untimely application...
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 02256
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice to award the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) or the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM). There is no official documentation within the applicant's official military record verifying he was in the area of eligibility for an aggregate of 6 months in support of the Vietnam Armed Forces for award of the VCM. Upon final board decision, the applicant's...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 04629
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04629 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty be corrected to reflect the following medals: a. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). The RVNCM is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, between 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73, served for...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-03890
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03890 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect he was awarded the following: a. Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He served in Guam with the 3960th Strategic Wing for 176...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-03452
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03452 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he was awarded and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicants complete submission, we do not find the evidence presented by the applicant is...